Tryon woman faces insurance fraud charges

From Staff Reports

Published: Monday, February 3, 2014 at 1:37 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 3, 2014 at 1:37 p.m.

A Tryon woman is facing felony fraud charges after investigators say she tried to cheat her insurance company by claiming her car was damaged in a collision with a deer. In fact, the car was damaged in a 2013 hit-and-run accident, investigators said.

Shawnda Janae Pack, 20, of 601 E. Howard St. has been charged with one felony count each of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, according to a news release from state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Monday.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators allege that on Jan. 8, Pack filed a fraudulent insurance claim with GEICO for damage to her vehicle from a collision with a deer one day earlier. Investigators claim the same damage had been documented as the result of a January 2013 accident in which Pack was arrested for reckless driving and hit and run, according to the release.

Pack was arrested with the assistance of the Tryon Police Department on Jan. 31 and placed in the Polk County Jail under a $16,000 bond.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. Since Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have made more than 800 arrests, resulting in more than 430 criminal convictions. These efforts have delivered more than $55 million in restitution and recoveries for victims, according to the release.

An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.

<p>A Tryon woman is facing felony fraud charges after investigators say she tried to cheat her insurance company by claiming her car was damaged in a collision with a deer. In fact, the car was damaged in a 2013 hit-and-run accident, investigators said.</p><p>Shawnda Janae Pack, 20, of 601 E. Howard St. has been charged with one felony count each of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, according to a news release from state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Monday.</p><p>Department of Insurance criminal investigators allege that on Jan. 8, Pack filed a fraudulent insurance claim with GEICO for damage to her vehicle from a collision with a deer one day earlier. Investigators claim the same damage had been documented as the result of a January 2013 accident in which Pack was arrested for reckless driving and hit and run, according to the release.</p><p>Pack was arrested with the assistance of the Tryon Police Department on Jan. 31 and placed in the Polk County Jail under a $16,000 bond.</p><p>The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. Since Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have made more than 800 arrests, resulting in more than 430 criminal convictions. These efforts have delivered more than $55 million in restitution and recoveries for victims, according to the release.</p><p>An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.</p>